Work done raising an object. Calculus needed.

[knownothing]

Homework Statement

A 50-meter rope weighing 2 N/m supports a piano weighing 600 N. Find the work done in lifting the piano 25 meters

2. Relevant equation.
None of the calculus equation, techniques covers this type of question with mass/length involved.

The Attempt at a Solution

I know the formula $W=GMm(1/r-1/r_i)$ for work done by gravity pulling an object downward. The reverse can be used for raising an object. But since $G$ is not given, I assume this formula is irrelevant.

 

[SteamKing]

Homework Statement

A 50-meter rope weighing 2 N/m supports a piano weighing 600 N. Find the work done in lifting the piano 25 meters

2. Relevant equation.
None of the calculus equation, techniques covers this type of question with mass/length involved.

The Attempt at a Solution

I know the formula $W=GMm(1/r-1/r_i)$ for work done by gravity pulling an object downward. The reverse can be used for raising an object. But since $G$ is not given, I assume this formula is irrelevant.

Even if this formula were relevant, you should understand that G is the universal gravitational constant, and its value can be looked up, even on the internet.

Getting back to the problem, even if the work performed lifting the rope were neglected, how would you calculate how much work it takes to lift the piano 25 meters?

In other words, what is the definition of work?

 

[Ray Vickson]

Homework Statement

A 50-meter rope weighing 2 N/m supports a piano weighing 600 N. Find the work done in lifting the piano 25 meters

2. Relevant equation.
None of the calculus equation, techniques covers this type of question with mass/length involved.

The Attempt at a Solution

I know the formula $W=GMm(1/r-1/r_i)$ for work done by gravity pulling an object downward. The reverse can be used for raising an object. But since $G$ is not given, I assume this formula is irrelevant.

It is correct in principle, but using it is a severe case of "overkill". If all you want is a numerical answer accurate to more precision than you can measure, there is a much, much simpler (approximate) formula that people have been using for the past 400 years. Google "earth's gravitational force".

Besides, the formula above looks only at the plane, and neglects the mass of the rope. The point is that the part of the rope hanging down lessens as the plane is raised up (assuming, for example, that the rope is gradually wound up around a roller), so that portion of the work will be less straightfoward (although simple to obtain using calculus).

 

[rude man]

No calculus needed ...